she believes in taking others into unknown territory. The
instant the assignment was given, Lila knew the adventure. After all, this was Phoenix, the land of Camelback
Mountain. People around here wake up at 4: 30 a.m. to climb
mountains in darkness.

The other one of us (Mimi) was up for the challenge.
She knew that she wanted more adventure in her life, and
to jump-start her fitness journey.

PLOTTING A ROUTE TO SUCCESS

We wanted to be sure our most captivating moment was
held for the end of the video. But we used the second most
captivating moment to start the video and grab the viewer.

In our case, the opening of the video explained the
challenge: hiking up a 1,420-foot mountain before sunrise with an overweight, out-of-shape woman who had
never done anything with this kind of technical difficulty. The drama or conflict was whether Mimi would
make it.

We controlled the pace of the story with quick edits
and short sound bites to pull viewers in and ensure they
would stay to see the conclusion. We used music to convey
a mood of tension and suspense, increasing the viewers’
emotional response. The shots, the faces, the editing were
all rough and adventurous. Fancy video cameras or editing
equipment are no longer necessary. Most viewers relate to
a more amateurish look.

Check out the essential steps in our concepting, filming, and editing process at right. ■

Reading an article may be informative, but watching a video can be far more powerful. In a video, you have sound and pictures to help you connect with your audience and create an emotional mood. Watching a video, the viewer can actually experience what you’re
conveying in a way text can’t offer.

The assignment during the 2017 NSA Video Lab seemed
simple enough:

 Using your iPhone, capture a one-minute video that tells
a story with a beginning, middle, and end.

 The video should have a strong message, capture the viewer’s attention, and hold it to the end.

 Your entry will be judged on production quality, creativity,
and content.

But there’s one other strict rule: Go beyond 60 seconds,
and you’re disqualified.

READY FOR AN ADVENTURE

One of us (Lila), believes every day should include an adventure—a moment outside your comfort zone. What’s more,

Here are
a few tips
to keep in
mind:

PINNACLE POINTERS

BE CLEAR.

Make sure the
nuts and bolts
of the video
are clear to the
viewer.

BE FAST.

Hook your viewer
immediately—
within the first
few seconds—and
finish the story
quickly.

BE FOCUSED.
Know what you
want the viewer
to walk away
with and make
it happen with
every shot and
every sound.